Work Load

One month in and I feel like I've been with the group forever.

My current priorities, plus all the "smaller" priorities I'm finishing up for the year are keeping me busy, busier than I've been in a while. I find myself incredibly spent at the end of the day.

Some days I wonder if I've bitten off more than I can chew and long for consecutive days where I can stay up all night, sleep in all day, roll around, slow down my days and dilly dally all I want. I don't know how others manage to squeeze in the world, and then some. I'll get to that point someday soon I hope!

Most days I'm very happy with where I'm at. I'm happy to be moving forward, to be committing 200% to something and pushing myself to grow.

I'm anxious to get to that point where work happily balances out with my personal life and I don't feel like I've thrown myself under a bus every time I wake up in the morning. In the meantime, I'm having a good time trying to balance it out.

I'm eager to learn and excited about the projects I'm handling, the people I'm working with and the characters I'm meeting. I'm excited about growing in my new role and becoming real good at what I'm doing.

And while it ain't the kind of green I was hoping to be earning at this point, I'm grateful for a steady paycheck and the wisdom that comes with having run amuck with your finances at one point in your life.

So yes, tired bliss is where I'm at at the moment, and where I'll probably nest and make my home in for the next year.

But I haven't forgotten about my other plans! And don't forget about them too. They're still there. On hiatus for the moment and waiting to be revisted at some point next year.

Cebu Sights

Ok, so eating wasn't the ONLY thing I did in Cebu. Aside from gorging sampling a number of Cebu's finest gastronomical delights, I also:

 Meandered through Carbon Market...

Attended a wedding rehearsal & despedidas de solteros...

Stair mastered up to the Taoist Temple...

Watched a good friend walk down the aisle...

Explored Casa Gorordo...

Visited Fort San Pedro...

Offered a prayer (or three) at Magellan's Cross...

Made a wish at Sto. Niño Church...

Checked out the night life...

... and went malling, twice!

All in all, it was a pretty good four days to say the least! Next thing I'll check out in Cebu? Sinulog!

This Old House

I was looking to drop by the office of one of my suppliers when I chanced upon this random old building. It was the only building of its kind on the main street.. well, the only building left I assume.

I've never been a fan of classic Philippine architectural designs. It's only been recently that I've been able to appreciate it's beauty. No idea why; perhaps because I've always felt there was a general lack of warmth in such houses? And because I immediately associate such design elements with the earthly elements of Filipino folklore. All it has taken me to see beyond its possible creepiness is a few light and air infusing windows and big furniture pieces with overstuffed cushions. Lol.
But yes, back to this house. It was a rather sorry site, and personally, what I believe is a microcosm of how conservation of Philippine heritage is in the Philippines. Not enough people care enough maybe? Or perhaps maybe because in a 3rd world country, other necessities are more of a priority? What bugs me even more is that when they tear stuff like this down, they put up real corniness in it's place. It's rather irritating.

Anyway, behind all of it's wear and tear, you can almost see small glimpses of what this place must have looked like back during it's heyday. What a beaut huh? I especially love the trimming of the roof awning, the design under the awning, the modern red brick and stain glass on the ground floor, and the classic window treatment up on the second floor.

BSP Jamboree on Mt Makiling

At the start of the year, I dropped by Mt. Makiling with a friend of mine to check out the 26th Asia Pacific Scout Jamboree. While Jamborees of this nature are apparently smaller in attendance, I was shocked to know that some 14,000 delegates from around the world had set up camp over the new year break to participate in this event. I only stayed for an hour or two so I didn't get the full effect of what 14,000 looks like, but it was fun exploring the groups and seeing all these kids milling about looking like they were having so much fun.

It's a week long event chock full of activity after activity after activity. Fun activities mind you where you learn new skills, make some friends and have some fun. Nonetheless, I'm glad it was them and not me. I love the outdoors, but only because I am quite content sleeping in a bed with a roof over my head. Lol.

I was a girl scout back in elementary school. Actually let me rephrase, I was a daisy girl scout! Daisy girl scout because brownie girl scouts who eventually become girl scout girl scouts. I remember not enjoying it so much, which is why I lasted only about a year.

But anyway, just wanted to post a few of the pictures I took while i was there...

We went up to Makiling to visit my friend's little brother & sister

who participated in the jamboree.

Love the BSP (boy scouts of the philippine) uniforms.. they wear these cool salakot hats..

.. as well as these lovely wooden carabao slides that cover the knot of their neckerchiefs!

Absolutely no idea what EXACTLY this is. I just saw it, snapped a photo of it and had to run off. I assume it's a coconut container of sorts fashioned to look like a scout from the Philppines? Lol.

I assume manong was a chaparone for the Vietnam contingent? Hee :)